Lions' recipe secret: Orange City out to roast Parkes Boars with Garlick

By
MATT FINDLAY

June 20, 2014, 4 a.m.

For Orange City prop Darcy Garlick, last weekend was tough

BULLS ON PARADE: Darcy Garlick will line up in Orange City's top grade side tomorrow after Harry Collins injured his knee. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0614derby7

FOR Orange City prop Darcy Garlick, last weekend was tough.

Garlick played almost two full games in last Saturday’s Blowes Clothing Cup local derby against Orange Emus, playing all 70 minutes in second grade before replacing the injured Harry Collins and playing almost 70 more in first grade.

That’s two-and-a-half hours of rugby in one afternoon.

“I did feel it a bit more,” Garlick said.

“It was a really tough game. They tested our defence in pretty cold and wet conditions.

“I haven’t checked the weather yet, but I hope it’s not like that again this week.”

The Lions host Parkes Boars tomorrow in a 2013 grand final rematch and with Collins out indefinitely, Garlick, affectionately known to his teammates as “Bull”, gets his chance in the top grade.

“My position in the team greatly depends on my work,” Garlick said.

“With Harry going down it’s opened up a spot in the team. Scotty Smith is only a young prop and he’ll have to stand up now. There’s a few boys who’ll have to step up.”

The 24-year-old Kinross graduate said despite Parkes sitting ninth, Orange City can’t afford to write them off, especially not riding into an away game against the Roos in Dubbo next week - the only team to beat the Lions this season.

“Well, they came second last year,” he said on Parkes.

We’ve got two tough games against quality packs in Parkes and Dubbo coming up ... it’d be nice to get (a win) up there (in Dubbo).

“Parkes is always tough. I’m not sure whether old Hare (Heamani) Lavaka is still running around, but if he’s not they’ve still got (NSW Country prop) Amoni (Vea) there.”

In the Lions’ only other change, Jake Davis replaces the injured Jackson Coote (shoulder).

Orange City and Parkes kicks off at 3.15pm, at Pride Park on Saturday.